Wasim Akram lashed out at Pakistan’s senior cricketers after the Babar Azam-led side lost to India by a narrow margin of six runs on Sunday. This loss puts Pakistan in danger of being knocked out from the group stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. The match was characterized by intense competition and moments of brilliance from both sides, but it ended in disappointment for Pakistan, who were chasing India’s modest total of 119 runs.
At one point, Pakistan seemed to be in a comfortable position, requiring just 48 runs from 48 balls with eight wickets in hand. However, the formidable combination of Jasprit Bumrah, who claimed 3 wickets for just 14 runs, and Hardik Pandya, who took 2 wickets for 24 runs, turned the game in India’s favor with their exceptional bowling performance. As a result, Pakistan lost wickets rapidly, ultimately concluding their innings at 113/7.
Muhammad Rizwan was the top scorer for Pakistan with 31 runs, but his dismissal was a pivotal moment in the match. Akram did not mince words as he demanded a complete transformation of the team to enhance their performance. He criticized key players, including Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Fakhar Zaman, for their lack of game awareness.
“They have been playing cricket for 10 years, and I can’t teach them. Rizwan has no game awareness. He should have known that Bumrah was given the ball to take wickets and that the wise thing would have been to play his deliveries cautiously. But Rizwan went for a big shot and lost his wicket,” Akram remarked.
He was equally scathing in his assessment of Iftikhar Ahmed, who he accused of lacking versatility in his batting. “Iftikhar Ahmed knows one shot on the leg side. He has been a part of the team for years but doesn’t know how to bat. I can’t go and tell about the game awareness to Fakhar Zaman. Pakistani players think that if they don’t perform well, the coaches will be sacked, and nothing will happen to them. It is time to keep the coaches and change the entire team,” he added.
Akram also highlighted internal strife within the team, revealing that Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi are not on speaking terms following a change in captaincy. He emphasized the detrimental impact such differences could have on the team’s performance.
“There are players who don’t want to talk to each other.
. This is international cricket, and you play for your country. Make these players sit at home,” he demanded.
Cricket analysts believe that Akram’s candid criticisms reflect deeper issues within the Pakistan cricket team, which have been exacerbated by this defeat. The loss has not only affected the morale of the team but also left them on the brink of elimination from the T20 World Cup 2024.
The game commenced with India struggling to build a formidable score, managing only 119 runs due to disciplined bowling by Pakistan. However, Pakistan’s batting lineup fell apart despite having a promising start. The pressure of chasing even a modest target became evident as Bumrah and Pandya wreaked havoc, leaving the Pakistani batsmen unable to stabilize the innings.
The rift between Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi further complicates an already tumultuous situation. Team unity, especially in high-stakes tournaments like the World Cup, is crucial. Akram’s blunt remarks about players not communicating with one another cast a spotlight on the internal issues that could be affecting team performance.
In light of Akram’s scathing review, discussions about potential changes in the team have gathered momentum. Analysts suggest that a comprehensive review process should be undertaken to assess individual performances and team dynamics. Some have pointed out that Pakistan’s inconsistent form in international cricket may be due to a lack of strategic planning and managerial oversight.
Fans too are reacting strongly to the loss, flooding social media with calls for significant changes. The general consensus among the cricket-loving public is that drastic measures are needed if Pakistan aims to reclaim its standing in international cricket.
Furthermore, Akram’s comments underscore the need for better player development programs that focus on game awareness and situational importance. His remarks about Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed reflect a broader issue—experienced players failing to adapt to match situations, which is unacceptable at the international level.
In conclusion, Wasim Akram’s critique comes at a crucial juncture for Pakistan cricket. The T20 World Cup 2024 might have been a platform to showcase the team’s prowess, but internal discord and lack of game awareness have overshadowed their ambitions. With experts and fans calling for a complete overhaul, only time will tell if Pakistan Cricket Board heeds these warnings and implements the necessary changes. For now, the team’s fate hangs in balance as they face an uphill task to stay in the competition.
